Top tips for cleaning with kids
There are so many precious milestones in your little one’s early years. First steps, first words, toilet training… But, there’s one unexpected milestone that’s both super-cute and incredibly helpful - the moment your little one is old enough to help around the house (and still young enough to think it’s fun!).
We’re talking about that magical window where sweeping brushes are exciting, sponges look like toys, and mopping up sounds like a game. It might not last forever, but getting your little one involved in your daily clean-up can help make all that mess more manageable. It doesn’t just benefit you, either - in fact, studies have shown that getting your kids involved in household chores at an early age can help develop their social skills and emotional wellbeing.
Whilst every child is different and you know best what they’re capable of - we’ve put together a guide to some age-appropriate chores that’ll be safe, manageable and even fun for little hands to get stuck into - as well as a few tips for making it fun!
Chores for kids by age
Ages 1–3
- Put toys in baskets or boxes
- Wipe low surfaces with a damp cloth
- Help feed pets (with supervision!)
- Load and unload laundry
Ages 4–5
- Make the bed (with a bit of help!)
- Match socks and sort laundry
- Water plants - indoors or out!
- Dust skirting boards and furniture
- Wash up non-breakable plates and cutlery
Ages 6–8
- Sweep and mop the floors
- Empty small bins
- Set and clear the table
- Wipe down kitchen worktops
Ages 9–12
- Vacuum small areas
- Load and unload the dishwasher
- Take out the rubbish
- Clean their bedroom
- Put their own laundry on to wash
- Hang laundry out to dry
How to make cleaning fun for kids
If you want cleaning to be something your kids actually want to do, try turning their chores into games. Here are some of our favourite ways to add a little bit of fun into your family clean-up:
1. Make it a race!
Set a timer and challenge everyone to complete their task the fastest, from loading the washing machine to picking up toys.
2. Have a cleaning disco
Turn up the music and turn down the mess. Pop on your kids’ favourite tunes and suddenly the kitchen floor is a stage, not a chore. Give them a cloth with a spritz of our non-toxic multi-purpose cleaner on and they can wipe down the kitchen cupboards whilst singing along to Let it Go.
3. Get the right tools for the job
Find or create kid-sized versions of your everyday cleaning essentials - think small dustpans and brushes, colourful cloths, or even a mini spray bottle with some of our family-safe cleaning products in. When everything is their size, your little ones will feel empowered to join in.
4. Give their toys a ‘bath’
Fill a bowl with warm bubbly water and let your child bathe their toys. It feels like play, but they’re learning responsibility and motor skills along the way - and you’ll have squeaky clean toys at the end of it! Add a sponge and a little of our non-toxic kitchen cleaner, to your bowl, and let the fun begin!
5. Use family-safe cleaning products
This one’s super-important. If you’re handing over the cloth or spray bottle, you want to make sure what's inside is safe for sensitive skin and curious hands. Ditch the harsh chemicals and go for non-toxic, bio-based cleaning products that’ll let your kids get hands-on, without you worrying about what they’re using.
6. Make a laundry sorting station
Set up a couple of baskets and get your little ones to sort by colours, match socks, or separate tops from trousers. Smaller babies and toddlers will also love loading and unloading the washing machine - don’t forget to use non-toxic laundry detergent for ultimate peace of mind!
7. Do a toy tidy treasure hunt
Turn tidying up into a treasure hunt. Give your child a list of things to find and put away in the right place - a red car, a soft toy, a book with a blue cover. You can even give them a pretend magnifying glass or explorer hat if you’re feeling extra-fun!
Our non-toxic cleaning products make it safe for the whole family to get stuck in
Housework with little ones doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right approach and the right tools, you can turn your chores into a time for connection, learning and fun. Plus, the more involved your kids are now, the more confident they’ll feel to join in when they’re older.
And when you're using safe, bio-based products you can trust, it's easy to hand over the sponge and let them take the lead, without worrying about harsh chemicals or fumes.
Discover our refillable cleaning products
Made from bio-based ingredients, our eco cleaning essentials are powerful on dirt and grime whilst being gentle on little hands. No harsh chemicals or unnecessary waste - just refillable, family-safe products that’ll leave your home sparkling. So, you and your mini cleaning crew can scrub with confidence.
TLDR: Age appropriate chores are great for kids’ development! Here are our top tips for getting your kids to help out with the cleaning.
- Make cleaning a race
- Have a cleaning disco
- Get the right tools for the job
- Give their toys a ‘bath’
- Use family-safe cleaning products
- Make a laundry sorting station
- Do a toy tidy treasure hunt
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